Njeri Wagacha
Njeri Wagacha is a Corporate & Commercial Partner specialising in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital in that context, Employment Law and Competition Law. Njeri is the Co-Head of East Africa Industrials, Manufacturing & Trade sector. Njeri runs the podcast NjeriTalks Law.
![Njeri Wagacha](/export/sites/cdh/images/people-banners/njeri-wagacha-02.png)
About Njeri
About Njeri
Njeri started off as Trainee Solicitor at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP. She later joined a firm in Nairobi as an Associate. She was a Secondee at Anjarwalla, Collins & Haidermota, Dubai. In 2018 she was appointed as a Senior Associate at the firm in Nairobi. In 2020, Njeri joined Kieti Advocates LLP as a Partner.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School (Commercial)
- Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School (Commendation)
- LLM, University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) (Merit)
- BA Honours Law and French, Middlesex University (1st Class Honours and East African Student)
Memberships
- Law Society of England and Wales
- Law Society of Kenya
Languages
Languages
- English
- French
About Njeri
Njeri started off as Trainee Solicitor at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP. She later joined a firm in Nairobi as an Associate. She was a Secondee at Anjarwalla, Collins & Haidermota, Dubai. In 2018 she was appointed as a Senior Associate at the firm in Nairobi. In 2020, Njeri joined Kieti Advocates LLP as a Partner.
Credentials
Education
- Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School (Commercial)
- Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School (Commendation)
- LLM, University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) (Merit)
- BA Honours Law and French, Middlesex University (1st Class Honours and East African Student)
Memberships
- Law Society of England and Wales
- Law Society of Kenya
Languages
- English
- French
Experience
Acting for an evergreen investment company in their acquisition of a company managing schools across four jurisdictions. This included conducting a comprehensive due diligence on the target.
Advising a licensed fund management company in conducting a comprehensive due diligence on the acquisition of a forest as well as in the preparation and negotiation of the transaction documents.
Acting for a client in the telecommunications industry with respect to conducting a high-level due diligence on the acquisition a leading tier 1 carrier in East Africa, offering fibre optic cable and satellite solutions.
Acting for a fund manager that invests in local, entrepreneur-led businesses in Africa in undertaking a red flag due diligence on a Kenya-based entity in the manufacturing and retail industry and assisting in entering into a convertible loan agreement.
Assisting one of Europe's leading early impact VC acquire equity, into an entity that provides employer of record services throughout Africa. Our work on this transaction included conducting a high-level due diligence and confirmatory due diligence exercise on the target's entities in Ghana, Eswatini, Zimabwe, Senegal, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, Benin, Tunisia, Morocco, Togo, Malawi, Tanzania, Madagascar, South Africa, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Burundi.
Acting for Alphajiri Investment Fund LLP in undertaking a high-level due diligence and negotiating a debenture, promissory note and guarantee in respect of a USD multimillion investments into Ilara Health, a network of small healthcare providing lifesaving and essential diagnostic tools to improve the quality of medical care in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Advised Bateleur Investments on the acquisition of its shareholding in Morgan Air & Seafreight Logistics Kenya and Morgan Cargo by Kuehne + Nagel. This transaction involved the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares in Morgan Air & Seafreight by Kuehne + Nagel. This resulted in Kuehne + Nagel being the sole shareholder of Morgan Air & Seafreight Kenya.
Acting for the Riara Group of Schools Limited in purchasing 100% of shareholding in Runda Gardens Development Limited, which is an entity that owns a parcel of land and the buildings which Regis Runda Academy Limited, operates a school on. As part of the first phase of the transaction, we assisted Riara in the negotiations of taking over the management of the school and property by negotiating and drafting a services agreement, term sheet and memorandum of understanding between the respected parties.
Acting for Cradle Journey Limited in carrying out a high-level due diligence on Desert Rose Kenya Limited a boutique hotel located in a remote part of Kenya and drafting transaction documents including a share purchase agreement and shareholders agreement with respect to the purchase of 40% of the shareholding from the founder of the target.
Advising the companies below in obtaining regulatory approval from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) and COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) in relation to their transactions (some of which are described above) in the region: Coca Cola; Shell; Transcentury PLC; Access Bank PLC; Vivo Energy; Econet Wireless; The Rise Fund; Koko Networks; PayGo Energy; Kuramo Capital Management; Safarilink; and GAPCO.
Assisting Kidogo Innovations Limited, a social enterprise platform dedicated to improving access to early childhood care and education in negotiating a settlement agreement with respect to termination of employment.
Assisting and advising KOKO Networks, a leading Kenya-based venture-backed technology company in drafting a disciplinary notice with respect to a senior employee on a sexual harassment claim.
Advising Icolo, a company that designs, builds and operates neutral data centres to draft a clause on payment of salary in a senior employee's employment contract.
Advising Vivo Energy Holding in connection with the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Engen Holdings.
Advising Royal Dutch Shell, in connection with its takeover bid in relation to the entire issued and to be issued share capital of British Gas (BG), including advising on the impact of the transaction on BG’s assets in Kenya and advising on the transfer of interests held by BG in production sharing contracts in Kenya.
Advising Oman Trading International Limited on the acquisition of Hass Petroleum in a deal worth USD35 million.
Advised Swedfund International AB on in its investment in an agritech entity on whether the target's business is subject to the Central Bank of Kenya (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations 2022 and whether the company is obliged to obtain any license or approval in Zambia, reviewing the senior loan agreement and the legal opinion by adverse counsel in relation to the terms of the debt instrument governed by Swedish Law from a local Kenyan law perspective, and overseeing the fulfilment of conditions precedent and completion of the transaction.
Acting for ARC Ride Kenya Limited in relation to the review and drafting of the google play store privacy policy to compliance with General Data Protection Regulation and the Kenyan Data Protection Act.
Acting for a leading fintech firm, on its collaboration with one of the leading Kenya-based telecommunications companies. This included assisting the client in obtaining a payment service provider licence from the CentralBank of Kenya (CBK), which involved providing advice on the requirements and steps to obtaining a licence, collating the required documents and information, completing the application form, drafting letters to the CBK, and corresponding with the CBK on behalf of our client.
News
![The Social Health Insurance Act and its implications](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/employment-01.jpg)
The Social Health Insurance Act and its implications
In a Gazette Notice on 21 November 2023, the Cabinet Secretary for Health designated 22 November 2023 as the commencement date of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 (SHIA). This...
![Private placement as an investment mechanism in Kenya](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/corporate-commercial-04.jpg)
Private placement as an investment mechanism in Kenya
Recently, fintech firm Lipa Later Group announced the closure of a KES 500 million privately placed debt issuance as part of its innovative financing solutions. This announcement exemplifies...
![The Competition Authority of Kenya imposes the highest penalty in history for anti-competitive behaviour](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/competition-01.jpg)
The Competition Authority of Kenya imposes the highest penalty in history for anti-competitive behaviour
On 23 August 2023, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) made a landmark announcement, revealing its imposition of a record penalty on nine (9) steel manufacturers totalling KES...
![Guardians of legacy: Corporate trustees and the new landscape of retirement benefit regulation](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/employment-03.jpg)
Guardians of legacy: Corporate trustees and the new landscape of retirement benefit regulation
A corporate trustee is a corporate body whose work entails providing trustee services to pension schemes as well as institutions. As such, corporate trustees are responsible for the...
![A step closer to a harmonised competition law approach in East Africa: Kenyan and EAC competition authorities conclude MoU](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/competition-02.jpg)
A step closer to a harmonised competition law approach in East Africa: Kenyan and EAC competition authorities conclude MoU
On 16 May 2023, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) and the East African Community Competition Authority (EACCA) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) whose objective...
![Webinar Recording | Unlocking and Protecting Investment Flow in Africa: The AfCFTA Investment Protocol](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/industrials-manufacturing-04.jpg)
Webinar Recording | Unlocking and Protecting Investment Flow in Africa: The AfCFTA Investment Protocol
Investment into existing and new industries in Africa is critical to unlock the economic growth and development benefits the AfCFTA holds for Africa.
![Njeri Wagacha talks to Carol Musyoka](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/corporate-commercial-01.jpg)
Njeri Wagacha talks to Carol Musyoka
Every month CDH Kenya Partner, Njeri Wagacha publishes her podcast 'Njeri Talks Law'. In this month's episode, Njeri sits down with the accomplished Carol Musyoka
![Njeri Wagacha talks to Wangechi Gichuki and Linda Anene - Videocast](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/corporate-commercial-03.jpg)
Njeri Wagacha talks to Wangechi Gichuki and Linda Anene - Videocast
Every month CDH Kenya Partner, Njeri Wagacha publishes a podcast 'Njeri Talks Law'. This month, Njeri welcomes esteemed guests Wangechi Gichuki, Head of Legal and Secretarial Services,...
![Njeri Wagacha talks to Mary Wamae - Videocast](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/corporate-commercial-03.jpg)
Njeri Wagacha talks to Mary Wamae - Videocast
Njeri Wagacha talks to Mary Wamae, Group Executive Director at Equity Group Holdings PLC
![Re-thinking industrialization in Kenya and the East Africa Community. What does the future hold?](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/industrials-manufacturing-02.jpg)
Re-thinking industrialization in Kenya and the East Africa Community. What does the future hold?
CDH in partnership with the French Chamber of Commerce Kenya hosted an informal breakfast event to discuss matters that affect the future of business in an everchanging market.
![Njeri Wagacha talks to Jennifer Chimanga, Partner, Co-Head of the Africa Group, and Global TMT Sector Lead at Clifford Chance](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/technology-media-02.jpg)
Njeri Wagacha talks to Jennifer Chimanga, Partner, Co-Head of the Africa Group, and Global TMT Sector Lead at Clifford Chance
Every month, CDH Kenya Partner Njeri Wagacha publishes a podcast titled "Njeri Talks Law." This month, Njeri talks to Jennifer Chimanga, Partner, Co-Head of the Africa Group, and Global Technology,...
![Njeri talks to George Odo and Lilian Oyando](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/private-equity-02.jpg)
Njeri talks to George Odo and Lilian Oyando
Every month CDH Kenya Partner Njeri Wagacha publishes a podcast 'Njeri Talks Law'.
![Njeri Wagacha talks to Anne Muraya](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/default.jpg)
Njeri Wagacha talks to Anne Muraya
In March we celebrated International Women's Day and to commemorate this Njeri talked to Anne Muraya – Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte East Africa.
![CDH and East Africa Venture Capital Association Series | Episode 1](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/private-equity-02.jpg)
CDH and East Africa Venture Capital Association Series | Episode 1
In this first episode Njeri Wagacha, talks to CEO, Christine Maina and COO, Jacklyne Iminza-Anyamba of EAVCA.
![Positive disruptors in African mining: Technology, AI and critical minerals for Africa's industrialisation](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/industrials-manufacturing-04.jpg)
Positive disruptors in African mining: Technology, AI and critical minerals for Africa's industrialisation
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2024 ranked Njeri Wagacha in Band 3 for FinTech.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2022–2024 recommended Njeri for employment.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 -2024 recommends her for corporate, commercial/M&A.
- Nairobi Legal Awards named second runners-up for 2022 Lawyer of the Year
- Named Commercial/Conveyancing Practitioner of the Year at the Nairobi Legal Awards 2022
- Awarded the East African Student Scholarship to Middlesex University, England
![](/export/system/modules/za.co.heliosdesign.cdh/resources/images/backgrounds/recognition-bg.jpg)
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2024 ranked Njeri Wagacha in Band 3 for FinTech.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2022–2024 recommended Njeri for employment.
- The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 -2024 recommends her for corporate, commercial/M&A.
- Nairobi Legal Awards named second runners-up for 2022 Lawyer of the Year
- Named Commercial/Conveyancing Practitioner of the Year at the Nairobi Legal Awards 2022
- Awarded the East African Student Scholarship to Middlesex University, England
Expertise
![Corporate &
Commercial Law](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/corporate-commercial-02.jpg)
Corporate & Commercial Law
Our strong legal team is well versed in legislative matters and provides support across all commercial disciplines.
![Competition
Law](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/competition-05.jpg)
Competition Law
We can help you navigate competition law matters with strategic advice and practical solutions.
![Employment
Law](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/employment-03.jpg)
Employment Law
CDH offers support to clients engaging in the complex and constantly evolving people management space.
![Private
Equity](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/private-equity-02.jpg)
Private Equity
Experts from across our specialist practice areas advise on private equity matters.
![Technology & Communications](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/technology-and-comms-01.jpg)
Technology & Communications
Our team offers advice on a wide range of functions and sector-related issues.
![Oil &
Gas](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/oil-and-gas-04.jpg)
Oil & Gas
Our Oil and Gas team has substantial legal expertise across the value chain.
![Healthcare &
Pharmaceuticals](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/healthcare-02.jpg)
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Our multidisciplinary team develops creative strategies and integrated solutions for this important healthcare sector.
![Consumer Goods, Services
& Retail](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/consumer-goods-01.jpg)
Consumer Goods, Services & Retail
Our multidisciplinary team provides innovative, practical and commercial advice to help our clients achieve their objectives.
![Gambling &
Regulatory Compliance](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/gambling-01.jpg)
Gambling & Regulatory Compliance
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![Industrials, Manufacturing
& Trade](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/industrial-04.jpg)
Industrials, Manufacturing & Trade
We provide a multidisciplinary approach to legal and commercial matters across Africa.
![Occupational Health
& Safety](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/occupational-health-safety-02.jpg)
Occupational Health & Safety
Our Occupational Health & Safety team delivers clear and precise legal advice.